Kerstyn MacLellan was the lone graduate from Advocate District School on June 27, and plans to attend the University of King’s College in Halifax in the fall.

ADVOCATE HARBOUR – She may have been on the only graduate, but Kerstyn MacLellan was not alone here on graduation night.
A large crowd of family, friends and community supporters gathered here on June 27 to watch the 18-year-old daughter of Tom and Kim MacLellan accept her diploma, with Honours, and move on to the next chapter in her life.

“The excitement I hold for the future knows no bounds, and I am glad to be able to share this milestone in my journey toward it with everyone here in attendance,” she said.

Although she was a valedictorian without a class, MacLellan left a few words of wisdom for the younger students she will leave behind.

“If I had to leave all of you any type of advice, it would be to consider your futures seriously, and not to second-guess yourselves,” she said. “Even though many of us have lacked common ground, I hope that you believe me when I say I hope for the best for all of you.”

MacLellan, who will take up studies at the University of King’s College in Halifax in the fall, thanked all of those in her family and school who have helped provide her with guidance, including her parents, grandparents, teacher Pat Spicer, and mentor Jennifer Calder.

She also thanked the students and teachers she was able to work while filling in as a librarian at the school for the past few months.

“Being able to immerse myself so completely in the library was an extremely rewarding experience for me, and I hope that the students I had the privilege to spend library periods with each week will continue to hold on to their enthusiasm for books and stories as they move up through their remaining years of school,” she said.

Being the only graduate has its benefits when it comes to the many awards and prizes handed out on graduation night, as MacLellan found out on this evening. Her awards included:

Other awards presented to non-graduating students during the ceremony included the Lt. Governor Medals to Ryan Collins and Ashley Grant; the NSSAF Good Sport Award to Jenna MacGillivary and Curtis Benjamin; and the NSSAF Scholar Athlete certificates to Olivia Fletcher and Jordan MacGillivary.